Expressway terror: Dacoits strike again,loot & escape

In the second incident of dacoity in less than a fortnight,dacoits struck two trucks on Pune-Mumbai Expressway at Pusegaon toll naka early Monday morning.

In the second incident of dacoity in less than a fortnight,dacoits struck two trucks on Pune-Mumbai Expressway at Pusegaon toll naka early Monday morning. They attacked commuters,looted valuables from them and escaped.

According to information given by the Lonavala police,the incident occurred around 3 am when the truck was stationed at the roadside near the toll naka. As soon as the truck driver,Vilas Balasare Basti (33),stopped his vehicle by the roadside to check the tyre pressure,around 12 dacoits started throwing stones at the truck.

A total of six persons were travelling in the truck including truck cleaner Sudeep Mane. The dacoits threatened them with a knife and looted their valuables. When truck driver Sambaji Borge and driver Basti tried to resist,they hit the duo with steel chains on their back and neck.

Both were injured and taken to a nearby hospital.

Later,the dacoits stopped a tempo on the expressway,threatened the driver Shankar Nagargoje and looted his valuables. Lonavala police said the dacoits stole gold jewellery and other valuables worth Rs 57,000.

Police inspector Sudam Darekar of Lonavala police station said,According to the inputs we have received,the gang members are not residents of Lonvala. These dacoits come from outside Lonvala in a vehicle,attack commuters and run away with valuables.

The Lonavala police have booked 10 12 unidentified dacoits under Section 395 (for dacoity) of Indian Penal Code.

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